April 19 benefit dinner to aid murder victim’s six children

Friends and family of Brandi Gonyer-Boaston will host a spaghetti dinner April 19 to raise money for her six children.

Gonyer-Boaston, 28, was found dead Feb. 15 and her ex-husband, Ronald Boaston, 41, is accused of killing her.

Brandi Gonyer-Boaston

Some of the money raised will cover funeral costs, but the majority will go toward supporting the couple’s blended family, said April Reidling, a friend of the family. The kids are currently staying with family, Reidling said. They range in age from 6 years old to teens.

“We’re hoping to get a lot of support to help the kids and take care of the kids and get them what they need in their lives and that is what Brandi has done — she’s done for the kids,” Reidling said. “And we want to keep that going even if she’s not here in name.”

Hunters found Gonyer-Boaston’s body in a running vehicle parked in a Fulton County field. She had died of asphyxiation.

Boaston, of 1126 Amanda Circle, is accused of strangling his ex-wife at the Amanda Circle residence on Feb. 14.

“Various forms of forensic evidence implicate the defendant,” according to court documents.

Boaston was arraigned this month and bond set at $1 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 21.

The spaghetti dinner costs $8 and will take place at Holland Gardens Banquet Hall, 6530 Angola Road, Holland. Doors open at 3 p.m and dinner is at 4 p.m.

Donations can be dropped off at the banquet hall from noon to 3 p.m.

A silent auction will take place from 4-7 p.m and a live auction starts at 6 p.m.

Gonyer-Boaston was a registered nurse with Arbors at Waterville. She loved to read, according to her obituary, but the loves of her life were her children, Reidling said.

“Her kids were her life,” she said. “All six of them. Everything she did she did for her kids.”

“It’s a shocking situation. [The family is] doing the best that they can in the situation. The big question is ‘Why?’ That’s the big question.”

Donations can be made to the Brandi Gonyer-Boaston Benefit Account at any PNC Bank branch.